Cesc Fabregas spurns Man Utd and commits to Barcelona

Cesc Fabregas has pledged to stay with Barcelona, ending Manchester United's hopes of signing the midfielder.

United had two bids rejected during the close season and were believed to have considered a third offer, which would have broken the club record of £30.7m.

"Triumphing in Barcelona has been my dream since I was a child," said 26-year-old Fabregas.

"I am very happy at Barcelona and I haven't spoken to any other club in the last two years."

Fabregas began his career at Barcelona and returned to the Nou Camp from Arsenal in August 2011, on a five-year contract.

Last season he started 30 of Barcelona's 38 league games but was substituted on 16 occasions, while in the Champions League he was in the starting line-up for six of the team's 12 games and was taken off three times.

Speculation that he wanted a return to the Premier League persisted but Fabregas said: "Stories have been invented. I was never given any sign from the club to make me think they didn't want me, I have always felt wanted here."

There have been major recent changes at Barcelona, Tito Vilanova stepping down as coach because of ill health to be replaced by Argentine Gerardo Martino and Brazil striker Neymar recruited from Santos, but Fabregas is convinced he has a future with the club.

"I spoke to [Barca vice-president Josep] Bartomeu, the president [Sandro Rosell] in person and Tata also told me he wanted me to stay and there's been no problem.

"I know what Martino wants from me, it is very clear. I will have to work very hard."